Archive for May, 2007
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Kunti Wins Art Honor
Kunti Guy, daughter of Ramlila dasi of New Vrindaban, and Hanuman das of Wheeling, was one of two
Limestone Elementary students who won awards in the recent Marshall County Elementary Art Show.
The art teacher who supervised the Limestone students chose only three works from each classroom to be entered in the county-wide […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Radhanath Swami in NYC Part 6
Today was the last day to see Maharaj and the last opportunity to meet him. The word on the street was that he was going to meet everyone at Second Ave at 12:30, I got up late, did some blogging and emailing and headed down to the temple to chant my rounds. Twelve thirty came and the word was that Maharaj would be arriving at One Thirty. Everyone started arriving around one o’clock. We began kirtan after about an hour Maharaj arrived. Yajna Pursha Prabhu introduced all the NYC brahmcaris and explained a little about the services that they are doing. I introduced the NV brahmacaris. I am always shy in front of Maharaj but somehow I made it through alright. Then Maharaja gave an amazingly dense lecture covering all the important points that brahmcaris need to hear.
During the lecture Satyaraja Prabhu, aka. Steven Rosen, came in Maharaj stood up, offered his obeisances, and embraced his gobdrother. As soon as he came in I was a little worried because I know what it means when godbrothers come, so after the lecture we had a short but powerful questions and answers session and then we had a saffron cloth awarding ceremony for Ghanasyama Prabhu who has been living in the ashram there for three years. Maharaj passed the cloth around and all the saffron clad members of the audience blessed the cloth and then Maharaj blessed it and gave it to Ghanasyama Prabhu. Then we had a wild kirtan which spilled out on the street and we did harinam around the block circumambulating 26 2nd ave.
It was past time for Maharaj to eat, but he had to meet with Satyaraja prabhu, Chaitanya Prabhu and myself, and Advaita Acarya.
It was agreed that Maharaj would meet with Satayaraja Prabhu, then have prasadam, then meet with Chaitanya Prabhu and myself, and then Advaita Acarya Prabhu. After meeting with Satyaraja Prabhu for about 20-30 minutes, he came to have lunch, by this time it was getting late and another godbrother, Pradymunna Prabhu showed up. Not a good sign. Maharaj was supposed to be at Radha Govinda Mandir at four o’ clock but by the time they finished luch it was already four. Maharaj told Chaitanya and I to meet him outside in the garden so we went outside while he finished up with Pradyumna Prabhu.
We were really excited as we were sitting outside waiting for Maharaj in the same garden that Srila Prabhupada must have sat in so many times and met with so many people. Our excitement gradually turned into as time went on and Maharaj still did not come out to meet us. I could see in the window that he was still speaking with Pradyumna Prabhu, but eventually he did come and bestow his mercy on us. The good thing about meeting with Maharaj is that you do get to meet with him you will get all the time that you need, even if there are 500 people waiting.
We were meeting specifically to discuss whether Chaitanya Prabhu should accept a position in the New Vrindaban Management that is being offered to him. The management has been quite chaotic there and it makes it difficult for the devotees in the community, especially the brahmcaris. Maharaj’s advice is so practical. It was a very sweet meeting, Maharaj shared many things with us in a very sweet way. He was explained that by nature he is a hermit, but that he loves to serve devotees so much that he spends all his time with them, and because of that he doesn’t to get any time alone and then in a very matter of fact and non pretentious way he said, “I just like to be alone with Krishna.” It was a very special moment to hear him say that. There have been a few occasions where I felt that he has allowed to glimpse a small portion of his inner life and this one of them. I also needed to discuss my service with Maharaj but there was no time for that, he said he would meet me in New Vrindaban, but just getting some time with him relieved a lot of my anxiety.
After all this special mercy there was still more to come. We headed over to Radha Govinda Mandir in our tradition way of performing nagar sankirtan. Maharaj gave another wonderful lecture and led us in yet another ecstatic dancing kirtan.
Then today to conclude our adventure in the big apple I got the special blessing of assisting Advaita Acarya Prabhu in dressing Shri Shri Radha Murlidhara. Advaita Prabhu dressed Murlidhara and somehow by the mercy of getting Maharaj’s association I got to the special blessing to dress Srimati Radharani.
tvam gopika vrisharaves tanayantike ’se
sevadhikarini guro nija-pada-padme
dasyam pradaya kuru mam vraja-kanane shri-
radhanghri-sevana-rase sukhinim sukhabdhau
“O beloved spiritual master, you are always in the presence of the cowherd girl Radha, the daughter of King Vrishabhanu. Please award me service at your lotus-like feet, which are the proprietors of devotional service. Please place me in the ocean of joy by bestowing upon me happiness in the mellows of service at the feet of Sri Radha in the groves of Vraja Dhama.”
And even more amazingly Srimati Radharani manifested Herself very splendidly. She was shinning very effulgently and as I offered the darshan arati I could she was smiling very mercifully.
Overall it was wonderful experience. Maharaj bestowed a lot of much needed mercy on this fallen soul. It was amazing as always to see how Maharaj is able to transform the hearts of so many that he comes in contact with. Everywhere he goes it seems that Krishna Consciousness is spreading like wildfire. Every year more and more people get initiated and more and more people are coming to see him. This time in New York people came from all over the country to see him.
It is always sad to part company with Maharaj, but I know that every time I am away from his association I have an opportunity to serve in such a way that the next time we meet he will be pleased with my service and bestow his causeless mercy upon this poor beggar.
Srila Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jaya!
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Monday, May 28th, 2007
Radhanath Swami in NYC Part 6 (pictures)
Radhanath Swami at 2nd Ave Brahmacari Meeting
Ghanasyama Das Brahmacari gets saffron cloth from Radhanath Swami.
Shri Shri Radha Muralidhara ki Jaya!
Srimati Radharani ki jaya!
Shri Shri Doyal Nitai Vijaya Gauranga Ki Jay!
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Monday, May 28th, 2007
Bhakta X and the Mudha
By Srila Jiva Goswami dasa
I think when there is a choice, the True Path may be known by its simplicity. You might know if you have strayed by how complicated things seem to be getting.
It was the start of one of those most beautiful days at Old New Vrindabana. The Morning Program […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Monday, May 28th, 2007
Memorial Day
It is Memorial Day in the USA, when we remember fallen members of the Armed Forces. The freshest memory for me is Marine Sgt. Christopher T. Heflin.
I got to know him in the summer of 2003 when I played in a summer roller hockey league. Somehow I ended up on a team that was composed […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Monday, May 28th, 2007
Memories of Nature
   As you pause to reflect on the meaning of the day today, you might be drawn to family memories. What childhood memories do you have of nature? What interactions with the natural world did you have while growing up?
I remember digging on the beaches of New England, playing with (harmless) jellyfish, looking for sand […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Ms. Rural
Sunday, May 27th, 2007
Radhanath Swami in NYC Part 5
After only a few hours of sleep we headed over to Radha Govinda Mandir to cook the feast for the evening, we were still feeling the ecstasy of the previous evenings Harinam so we again chanted all the way over, this time we didn’t have any instruments except our hands and our voices.
Fortunately we had a lot of help, the temple cook, Nanda Nandana Prabhu, basically did everything. We just helped out.
Gradually people from all over the country began arriving and the program began around four o’clock.
This was a historic initiation, it was largest ever initiation of second generation devotees in the history of the Hare Krishna movement. Nine second generation devotees got initiated. These are all people who grew up in the Hare Krishna movement and now as adults they are making the decision to dedicate their lives to the service of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya. This is the beginning a revolution. The devotees who stepped forward and took this commitment will inspire hundreds of other second generation devotees to do the same. And this will create a culture that encourages and inspires many second generation devotees to take Krishna consciousness very seriously.
This was personally so inspiring for me. It is something that I have been hoping and praying for for a very long time.
Initiations are always very inspiring, it is wonderful to see so many people officially beginning their spiritual life, and it’s wonderful time to increase one’s own commitment and renew ones vows.
After the program I managed to find a little bit of prasadam and quickly ate it, all the other brahmacaris were waiting for me and it was quite late, by this time it was getting close to eleven o’clock. After I finished I was almost running out of the prasadam room to wash up, and just as I turned the corner I found myself face to face with Maharaj, I almost crashed into him. He spoke a few nice words and then said that tomorrow he would meet with the brahmacaris.
“More promises, doesn’t Krishna know that he is killing the residents of Vrindaban. Krishna do you think it is right for you to kill so many innocent young women?”
By the time we left everyone was exhausted, happy but nonetheless exhausted.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Sunday, May 27th, 2007
Radhanath Swami in NYC Part 5 (pictures)
Radhanath Maharaj is always extremely grave during initiations.
Ananta Govinda Prabhu ki Jaya!
Ramabhadra Prabhu doing the fire yajna.
Advaita Acarya Prabhu on the subway on the way home.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Sunday, May 27th, 2007
Feeding Grain to Growing Heifers
To make room at the temple barn for the new jerseys, 4 of the 5 Holstein heifers have moved to the pasture below the state road at Bahulaban. To get maximum growth it is best to supplement pasturage with grain.
What to speak of, they like eating grain, as their eagerness in this photo demonstrates.
The 5th […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Sunday, May 27th, 2007
A Thing of Beauty
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Ms. Rural
Sunday, May 27th, 2007
A Good Day
I had bought the white peony in the foreground, selected especially for fragrance. I have a cut one in teacup by where I sit and it pleasantly scents the air around it.
The others are from my mother. My sister-in-law sent me some divisions a few years ago from the flower bed […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Saturday, May 26th, 2007
Radhanatha Swami in NYC Part 4
The Tuesday night program was a little too wild for the yogis so we had to switch the venue to Shri Shri Radha Govinda Mandir. Which was great, it was so wonderful to be at the shelter of Shri Shri Radha Govinda.
The spiritual world was revealed as Maharaj spoke about Lord Chaitanya, Srila Rupa Goswami, and the original Govinda Dev deity.
And of course afterwards everyone went wild in the Kirtan, Bali, Visvambhara, and Ananta were all there rocking on the mrdangas. At one point I stepped outside and the beat was so loud it sounded like I was out side a club.
Afterwards Chaitanya Prabhu and I went up to meet Maharaj to introduce our friend that Chaitanya met the day before on book distribution. I am always amazed at how Maharaj is able to speak a few words satisfy everyone who comes to meet with him, and the words he speaks are exactly what each person needs to hear, and they re-act on the heart in a miraculous way because they inspired by the Supersoul.
I was a little emotional during the kirtan and afterwards with just a few words Maharaj completely satisfied me. He again promised to meet with us on Sunday.
In the ecstasy of separation Radharani begin talking to herself, “Surely Krishna will return to Vrindaban, he promised us.”
The kirtan had a delayed effect on me, during the kirtan I was not able to dance much but afterwards on the way home we had an absolutely insane Harinam through the subway, on the subway, and all the way back to the Ashram, but by that time we got home were so thoroughly intoxicated that we just kept going until 1:30 AM. It is hard to properly describe this kirtan, we were really intoxicated, we were clearly the most drunk people on the streets of New York. We got everything on video so someday it will be released.
Once we got back everyone crashed but I was in no mood to sleep so I just stayed up an chanted my sixteen rounds. It was the best japa that I’ve chanted in years. It was surreal, I was chanting on top of the roof of the temple, all around me millions of people were swimming in the ocean of material existence but I was sailing on the boat of the holy names to the far side of this terrible ocean.
Every night thus far that we’ve had a program with Maharaj I’ve just stayed up to chant because I am always so excited that I am not able to sleep, but last night was definitely the most intense due the extra ecstasy of the Harinama.
Today we head over to Radha Govinda Mandir to cook the feast then there will be an incredible initiation ceremony, there will be at least six second generation “gurukulis” getting initiated, it is really a landmark event, and something that I been praying for for many years.
And who knows what other adventures the day will bring.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Saturday, May 26th, 2007
Potatoes and Peas
( from the Deity Cookbook compiled in the 1970’s)
Make a Chaunce With:
2 Tbsp. Ghee
11/2 Tsp. Salt
1/2 Tsp. Pepper
1Â Tsp. Asafoetida
1/2 Tsp. Thyme
2 Tbsp. Chopped Coriander Leaves
In a Pan of Ghee, Deep Fry 6 Potatoes Until Golden. Add Potatoes to Chaunce. Add 1 Cup Steamed Peas. Mix Well, and cook 5 Minutes.
Â
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by jm
Saturday, May 26th, 2007
Water, Water Everywhere…..
Last Tuesday night, at a jam-packed program at the Astanga Yoga Studio and Sri Ganesh Temple in Manhattan, His Holiness Radhanath Swami spoke about the need to clean the pollution from the ecology of our hearts,so that we will be able to clean the pollution from the ecology of our surrounding natural environment.
Maharaja gave a startling, personal example, in which he related that during a recent visit to the Himalayan Mountains, the same mountains he had wandered through thirty-five years ago in search of the Truth, he noticed that the formerly pure-white snow-capped peaks had become stained gray and black from the immense air pollution spewing from India’s major cities.
He then related a very sobering bit of news he had heard from one of his scientist associates, in which because of this pollution and its resultant climatic alterations, there is every chance that two of India’s biggest and most sacred rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna, may dry up by 2050.
The fact is that the body of this planet and our own physical and emotional bodies are on the verge of chaotic collapse. Who can chant Hare Krsna in the streets of Manhattan when the streets of Manhattan have been swallowed up by the Atlantic Ocean?
My first reaction, being a prideful rascal, was one of dare I say pleasure to hear one of the most spiritual personalities alive on this planet using the plight of our earthly environment to forcibly get across his point of the drastic need for a immediate re-spiritualization of the planet.
As I try to become more absorbed on this path of devotion to Krsna, to rid myself of my lusty attachment to all that is material, I cannot shake the plain truth that unless we as devotees move more towards the forefront of the worldwide movement for sustainability, we will be losing a grand portion of our ability to spread the rays of the benediction moon that is this sankirtana movement.
What must we do within our institution of ISKCON to make these environmental issues a priority in our outreach? What can we do as individual devotees and as individual temples to help make these issues a priority? At New Vrindaban, even though we live in a vegetarian community and are trying to systematically protect a number of cows, we struggle to convince the majority of the community to not use wasteful styrofoam, and previous composting and recycling programs have been lost in a haze of inefficiency and indifference. It is a very uphill battle.
Radhanath Swami said that the waters of the Ganges are always completely pure, but when mixed with polluted elements, the waters appear to be unclean. We must remember that the Ganga water, like the nature of the soul, is never contaminated.
Like the filtering of this water, we must begin by filtering out all polluted elements within our selves so that we can face the challenges of this world with positive, forward-thinking consciousness. True action begins within ourselves, but we must begin now, and move quickly, because it may already be too late.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Bhakta-Chris
Saturday, May 26th, 2007
Lingering on the Gallows
Guiltless, by all measure
except empiric decree,
he stands where the sandbag
finished its chore.
Redeemed, at peace;
the warmth of the sun,
the Eye of God,
upon his cheek.
A scent of fruitwood burning,
diluted by a purifying wind,
reaches the platform
with the cry of a blue jay.
Floorboards tremble
under approaching steps;
he can count every bristle
of the noose against his ear.
A pause, and he […]